Western Illinois University
Department of Psychology
Psychology Internship (PSY436)
PSY 436: Substance Abuse Practicum - This practicum will provide an opportunity for students to
develop their individual and/or group substance abuse assessment and treatment skills through
supervised work in a treatment center.
This is a new course offering, associated with the substance abuse counseling concentration, and has not
enrolled students. Therefore no protocol has been established or implemented yet. While there are
similarities to our Field Experience/Seminar course, the Substance Abuse Practicum will utilize only
substance abuse treatment agencies and placements that allow for direct client contact and clinical
work/clinical skills.
1.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Karen Sears
Waggoner Hall 100
(309) 298-1593
K-Sears@wiu.edu
2.
PROTOCOL
This is a new course offering, associated with the substance abuse counseling concentration, and has not
enrolled students. Therefore no protocol has been established or implemented yet. However, tentative
arrangements have been made for students to complete practicum hours at one of several sites on
campus and in or near Macomb. As this is an undergraduate practicum experience, there is no
established state guideline in regard to pay, interview or application procedures, or interview or
acceptance dates.
I envision using a general rule of thumb similar to other programs of 50 clock hours per semester hour
(including classroom hours), thus requiring up to approximately 120 of outside the classroom clinical
experience. The protocol also includes 2 classroom hours per week. As the number of client hours
acquired during the semester is likely to reduce the length of time required for certification after
graduation, the more hours accumulated during the semester, the better. An internship is a critical part of
substance abuse counseling training which allows students to integrate knowledge and skills acquired in the
classroom into clinical training in the field.
Specifically, IAODAPCA (ILLINOIS ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATION ASSOCIATION) requires the following components of an internship:
 formal working agreement between internship site (agency) and institution, specifying conditions of
internship placement.
 opportunity to demonstrate entry level competence in core functions (Screening, IntakeOrientation,
Assessment, Treatment Planning, Counseling, Case Management, Crisis Intervention, Client
Education, Referral, Reports and Record Keeping, Consultation with Other Professionals)
 at a facility that offers direct care related to alcohol and other drug abuse and a primary focus on that
care in the treatment of alcohol and other drug abuse.
 At least 80% of the internship must be done in agencies licensed for substance abuse treatment
 not to occur at the student's place of employment
 directly supervised by an AODA professional
 facilities document supervision of the student
3.
4.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
An application process and application requirements are not yet developed for the practicum course.
However, an application process is planned which will require students to apply for internship the
semester before the course begins to ensure that students have the necessary academic background,
disposition, and preparation to begin their practicum placement. The application process will also
likely require that students interview with potential practicum sites to ensure that the site or agency
is willing to accept that student as an intern. Only students who intend to pursue substance abuse
counseling or human-services related jobs after graduation are appropriate for this practicum.
Volunteer experience with an activity such as the AOD Center peer outreach groups or the
psychology department hotline would also be helpful though not required.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites required for registration for this course include PSY 335 (Substance Abuse Assessment,
Education, Case Management) and PSY 434 (Substance Abuse Treatment Techniques I). However the
above application process is also intended to document that students have taken other substance abuse
concentration coursework or general psychology coursework to prepare them with the necessary skills to
handle supervised clinical work with clients at an external agency. Some recommended courses also
include PSY336 (Ethics and Special Populations in Substance Abuse) and PSY 435 (Substance Abuse
Treatment Techniques II), and PSY424 Abnormal Psychology.
5.
STUDENT INTERNSHIP RESPONSIBILITY:
SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Develop assessment and clinical skills in the field of substance abuse treatment.
2. To think critically about practicum experiences as they unfold, and to integrate relevant theory and
research into students’ understanding not only of their own experiences, but also the experiences of their
clients.
3. To demonstrate and enhance oral and written communication skills.
4. To demonstrate ability to reflect on practicum experiences and to integrate them with assigned
readings and discussion. This will likely be accomplished through maintenance of a regular reflection
journal.
5. To assess and strengthen self-awareness and self-care skills, in both professional and day-to-day
personal lives.
6. To demonstrate and enhance abilities to actively participate in peer groups and supervision, while
actively sharing insights and questions, or providing support to fellow students.
Students are also required to provide evaluations of faculty members, field site supervisors, and the overall
practicum experience and class. Other student responsibilities as outlined by IAODAPCA include:
 Assume responsibility for contact with the selected or approved internship site(s)
 Discuss selection and approval of the internship site with the training program
 Assume responsibility for developing a learning contract or a schedule of learning experiences at
the internship site
 Be aware of the internship site policies and function within that framework
 Assume responsibility for developing skills and competencies required by IAODAPCA
 Assume responsibility for initiating formal and informal supervisory sessions
 Participate in the evaluation process of the internship
 Adhere to all agency, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding confidentiality
6.
ON-SITE SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:
According to IAODAPCA: “the administrative, clinical, and evaluative process of monitoring,
assessing, and enhancing counselor performance”
A minimum of one-hour of clinical supervision per week during the practicum experience, which may
include face-to-face supervisory sessions (individual or group), orientation inservices, observation, or
staff meetings.
Internship Site Responsibilities also include:
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7.
Cooperate with training program in planning, supervising, and evaluating the student intern
Assist the student intern in developing a learning contract or schedule of learning experiences that
will enable him or her to practice skills and competencies as indicated in school objectives
Provide a specific supervisor who meets the qualifications outlined in the Administrative Standards
section of this manual
Assure that State and Federal laws of confidentiality are communicated and followed
Review with the student intern his or her rights and responsibilities
Submit a written evaluation of the student intern’s performance to the training program and the
intern, identifying strengths, limitations, and potential as an AODA counselor
Provide the training program coordinator with necessary information about problems, concerns
and/or incidents with the internship as they arise
UNIVERSITY COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITY:
Hold weekly class meetings in which issues of general importance in practicum experiences are
discussed, and consultation and supervision to students regarding their placements is provided. The
coordinator will review documents and assign a grade based on a combination of in class and external
activities.
In order to comply with IAODAPCA requirements the department/program is also required to do the
following:
 Develop a philosophy statement and internship objectives
 Select or approve appropriate internship sites
 Develop a contract or working relationship with the internship site
 Orient the student to the internship, emphasizing confidentiality, compliance with internship site
policies, responsibilities, and openness to supervision
 Inform the internship site of any critical factors related to the student intern’s current status as a
potential professional (i.e., academic performance, personality assessment, abilities, limitations,
etc.), as appropriate
 Provide a contact person (liaison) who will be available to the internship site should problems arise
 Assist with supervision of the student intern
 Approve and/or assist with the development of a learning contract or schedule of learning
experiences to occur during the internship
 Participate with the internship site and the student intern in an evaluation process of the student
intern’s strengths, limitations, and potential as a professional AODA counselor